Corants by John Sturt and Jacques Gaultier

The ML lute book, (c.1610-40) is a major source for the music of John Sturt (fl.1612-1625) and he may even have been the main scribe (apart from the formation of the letter “e” the writing of tablature, final flourishes and text are very similar to the scribe of Berlin 40461 who apparently signed his name at the end of this corant). The ascription of the second piece to Jacques Gaultier is speculative, based on the ascription to “Gaulthier” in Lord Herbert of Cherbury’s lute book which is the only other source of this piece.

It is interesting to see how close John Sturt gets in style to the French master, especially in this pair of pieces which are written on the same opening of the manuscript.